Usage & Final Thoughts
So getting The Level setup is pretty easy. For reference I will be using it in conjunction with the Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Hybrid Edition. Simply place The Level in front of your desk, get on and you’ll be good to go. I initially thought that that The Level would be very uncomfortable and hard to balance or stand on, but getting on it felt very natural. Maybe because I’ve skateboarded in the past? But I was very surprised how there was no real learning curve or time to get used to The Level.
Typically I stand for the second half of my day, so for the past couple of weeks I’ve used The Level while standing. The Level has a range of motion of 23.98 degrees, which is very close to the same range of motion as walking (21.25 degrees). This means that while using The Level your ankles will not move outside the normal walking range of motion which means using The Level will be strain-free. While on the board you balance it by putting your feet on each side, it is quite easy actually. Throughout my time on the board I would find myself sort of rocking from side to side. You can also rock forward and backwards and the design allows for a full 360-degree motion if you want to really have some fun when you are working. With The Level you’ll use about 20% more energy than sitting. If you want more of a challenge there is challenge cap, which is a piece of plastic you attach to the bottom. It increases the range of motion, I used it a few times and can confirm it is more of a challenge.
So besides using more energy than normally standing does The Level make a difference? Well for me I think it did. It seems I am more happy while using the board than not using it. While standing normally my ankles and legs would get stiff and I would end up going back to sitting pretty quickly, but with The Level it seems I am standing for longer periods of time. It also is not awkward or anything like that, I can easily type and even game on the board!
The only real downside I can see to The Level is that because of what its made out of it really would not work all that well on hard floors. It would likely ruin you floor, so you would either need to use it on carpet or get a floor mat for it. Besides that I am very happy with The Level and it really changed my mind on balance boards for standing desks. I don’t think I could go back to using a standing desk without one now! The Level sells directly from FluidStance for $219, which you may think is expensive, but I believe it is well worth it for what you’ll get out of the board. Overall ThinkComputers give the FluidStance The Level Balance Board a 9 out of 10 score and our Recommended Award!
Pros:
– Easy to use
– Feel less stiff than normally standing
– Made it so I stand longer
– Beautiful decks
– Challenge cap increases range of motion
Cons:
– Would need a floor mat to use on hard floors
